Apparatus for manufacturing particulate filters



April 30, 1957 G. H. APPEL 2,790,636

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTICULATE FILTERS Filed June 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

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APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTICULATE FILTERS Filed June 14,- 1951 7 Shets-Sheet 2 GI/berf H. Appe/ Gum/wan; V

April 30, 1957 G. H. APPEL 2,790,636

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTICULATE FILTERS Filed June 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 iii i1 m gm Ail-WET April 30, 1957 G. H. APPEL 2,790,636

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTICULATE FILTERS G- H. APPEL April 30, 1957 Filed June 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 6.

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April 30, 1957 G. H. APPEL APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTICULATE FILTERS Filed June 14, 1951 7 'Shets-Shee't 6 Fig. /0.

Gilbert H Appe/ April 30, 1957 G. H. APPEL 2,790,636

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTICULATE FILTERS Filed June 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 United stat Patent APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTICULATE FILTERS Gilbert H. Appel, Baltimore, Md.

Application June 14, 1951, Serial No. 231,643

, 7 Claims. (Cl.'27039) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code 1952), sec.'-26'6) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty there- This invention relates to apparatus for assembling filters of the type which comprise a pleated strip of filter paper having a separating member positioned in each pleat of the paper, which spaces the filter paper. Filters of this type are disclosed in Patent No. 2,681,155, granted June 15, 1954 to E. W. Graham. Prior to my invention, filters of this type have been partially or totally assembled by hand. My invention is fully automatic and there fore possesses all the advantages inherent in an automatic device.

. An object of this invention is to provide an automatic device for pleating filter paper and inserting a spacer in each pleat wherein the spacer is utilized in the step of pleating the paper.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic filter assembling device which may be adjusted to assemble filters of any desired width within certain limits.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an automatic filter assembling device wherein the device is operated by a compressed air system which is controlled by electrically controlled air valves.

It is a specific object of this invention to provide an automatic filter assembling device wherein the device will automatically cease operating when a jam occurs thereby eliminating the possibility of damaging the device.

With the foregoing objects in view together with .such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention is carried into etfect as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my machine. Fig. 2. is an end elevation of my machine. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1, with the separating membe'rs shown in dotted lines. spective view of my machine looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional vie w taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is .a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled product with several of thepleats expanded to more clearly illustrate the arrangement. of parts. Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the device whichillustrates the machine in four positions. Fig. 11' is a schematic wiringv diagram of the device. Fig.12 is an air flow diagram of the device.

In the drawings, Fig. 9 illustrates the product of my machine. It comprises a length of filter paper-.134 which is pleated and contains a comb-like separating member 131X or 131Y in each pleat. The separating members space the filter paper 134 and thereby increase the filtering properties of the pleated'paperby facilitating the flow of-lluid through the filter. The 't-wotop 'pleja'ts of the filter inFig. '9are shown expanded soasto-cl'ea'rly- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary per Patented Apr. 30, 1957 ice show the disposition of the separating member in each p eat.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, my filter assembling machine generally comprises a support 2 which supports reciprocable carriage 4, separator stack holders 6, paper roll supports 8, chute 10, main cylinder assembly 12, con-- trol panel 14 and other elements which subsequently will be mentioned.

Support 2 is constructed of conventional structural members such as channels and comprises vertical legs 16, upper and lower horizontal supporting members 18, diagonal supporting members 20, transverse supporting members 22, and horizontal beams 24, which extend between and are secured to legs 16 on each side of the support. A second beam 26 is positioned parallel to and rests upon each beam 24, and also extends between and is secured to legs 16 on each side of the support. A horizontal groove 28' is formed on the outer side of each beam 26 (see Fig. 6). A stop member 30 is mounted at each end of each beam 26 and acts as a limit to the stroke of carriage 4. Stop bolts 32 extend horizontally and are adjustably mounted in stop members 30 and thereby permit varying the distance between themselves and the resulting varying of the length of the stroke of carriage 4. A V-shaped guide rail 34 extends between stop members 30 on each beam 26 and is positioned parallel to and is either integral with or secured to said beam.

Reciprocable carriage 4 generally comprises side portions 36 and top portion 38 (see Fig. 4). Each side portion 36 comprises an elongated slide member 4%, two vertically extending side blocks 42 and vertically extending side plates '44. Each slide member 40 has a V-shaped groove 46 formed in its lower face which slidably rests upon V shaped guide rail 34, and a protruding rectangular rib 48 formed on its upper face which constitutes a mounting and positioning means for side blocks 42 (see Fig. *6). Side blocks 42 have a rectangular groove 50 formed in their lower face which receives rib td. Side blocks 42 are secured in position by bolts 52 which pass through openings provided in rib 48. As is apparent from the drawings, side blocks 42 are adjustably mounted in that their position may be altered by passing bolts 52 through the desired openings in rib 48 (see Figs. 1 and 6). L-shaped. guide dogs 53 are secured to slide members 40 and have one leg slidably received in groove 23. Blocks 49X and 49Y having extensible tripper rods 51X and 51Y respectively mounted thereon are secured to the top of rib 48 on one side of carriage i. Tripper rods 51X and 51Y are adapted to contact micro-switches 55, 57 respectively which are mounted on legs 16 at the level of the tripper rods (see Figs. 4 and 5). Transversely extending, horizontal top plates 54 are secured to the top of one side block 42 on each side of the supriage. A pair of pleating guide rollers 43 extend between mounting brackets 45 which are secured to slide members 40' (see Fig. 8). Side plate 44 is secured to slide member 40 and extends vertically below said slide member and above side blocks 42. T he upper portions of side plates 44 support a pair of transversely extending paper guide rollers56. The lower portions of side plates 44 are secured to the legs 60 of U-shaped push member 62. Piston rod 64 is fixed at. one end to the cross member- 66 of the push member 62.and-has a, piston 67 mounted on its other end which is positioned within cylinder 68 (see Fig, 5). An air line 69 is connected to the cylinder on one side of" said piston and an air line '70 is connected to the cylinder on the other side of the piston and thereby provides an arrangement for reciprocating-carriage4 by admitting compressed air to alternate side of said piston (see Fig. 10). The air lines valve 71 which controls the admission of compressed air to one or the other of the air lines (see Fig. 7).

Two angle-shaped members 72 extend transversely of the support and are secured to beams 24 by flanges 77 at their ends (see Fig. Members 72 are mounted with one leg 73 of the angle horizontally disposed and the other leg 75 descending vertically, and are positioned longitudinally of the beams so as to divide the beams roughly into thirds. Each flat horizontal leg 73 of each angle member forms part of an adjustable support for one-half of the support top 74. The support top 74 comprises two spaced angle-shaped support top plates 76, 78 positioned with respect to the support 2 so as to have their vertical legs 80 and 82 respectively oppose each other and descend between the side beams of the support. The flat legs 84 and 86 of the plates 76 and 78 respectively are disposed horizontally and are'respectively supported on a flat leg 73 of angle members 72 and on the tops of beams 26 adjacent to V-shaped guide rail 34. Large threaded rods 88 are secured to the vertically disposed legs 80, 82 and extended longitudinally of the device in a horizontal plane. Rods 88 pass through openings in the vertical legs 75 of angle members 72 and have wing nuts 90 threaded thereon on both sides of legs 75. As is apparent, each half 76 and 78 of the support top 74 may be adjusted longitudinal of the device by adjusting the position of the wing nuts 90 on rods 88. With this arrangement, the space between the opposing vertically disposed legs 80 and 82 constitutes an opening for the passage of the assembled pleated paper which may be varied according to the width of the pleat. The significance of this feature will appear subsequently.

Thin plates 92 are secured to slide members 40 of carriage 4 and extend longitudinally of the support in both directions (see Figs. 3, 6 and 8). At an extended point near each of their ends, plates 92 are connected by thin cross plates 94X and 941 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5). Plates 92 and cross plates 94X and MY rest upon the top of support top 74 and constitute a separator feeding mechanism which will be fully explained subsequently.

Secured to the under side of each top plate 54 is a vertically disposed air cylinder indicated generally as 96 and 97 (see Fig. 5). Each air cylinder has spaced inlets 98 and 100 which are adapted to be secured to air lines 102 and 104 respectively which connect with an electrically controlled air valve. Air cylinder 96 is connected to air valve 101 and air cylinder 97 is connected to air valve 103 (see Fig. 7). A piston 105 is slidably mounted within each cylinder and has an associated piston rod 106 extending out of the lower cylinder wall 108 (see Fig. 6). The lower end of piston rod 106 of air cylinder 96 is secured to a push down plate 110! and piston rod 106 of air cylinder 97 is secured to push down plate 110X. The piston rods are adapted to move said push-down plates up or down independently. Guide rods 112 are secured to the lateral sides of the push-down plates and are slidably guided in guide blocks 114 which are secured to "the inner sides of side blocks 42 (see Figs. 6 and 8). Stop collars 115 are adjustably mounted on guide rods 112 and limit the extent of downward travel of the push-down plates. A tripper rod 116 is secured to each push-down plate and passes through an opening in top plate 54 (see Fig. 6). On the upper end of each tripper rod 116 there is adjustably secured a tripper block 118X or 118Y which is adapted to contact a microswitch when the pushdown plate reaches its lowermost position. For the sake of clarity the micro-switch on the top plate which carries cylinder 96 is designated 120 and the micro a switch on the other top plate is designated 12 1 (see Fig. 5).

Angle-shaped members 122 are adjustably secured to! vertical legs 16 at a point above the support top, with a flat leg in a horizontal plane (see Figs. 5 and 6). Transparent separator stack holders 6 are of U-shape with the base 123 of the U disposed in a vertical plane that extends transversely of the device. Mounting plates 124 are fixed to the sides 125 of the separator stack holders 6 and are adjustably secured to angle-shaped members 122 by securing bolts 126 and lock nuts 128. In their assembled position, separator stack holders 6 are spaced from the support top 74 by a distance which is slightly in excess of the thickness of the separators used. Vertically disposed strips 129 are adjustably secured to the inner side of side walls 125 of the separator stack holder 6 at a distance from the base 123 equal to the width of the separators used. A stack of separators 131X or 131Y are positioned in the separator stack supports between the base 123 and the strips 129. As can be clearly seen in the drawings, the separators 131X and 131Y are shaped like a comb with large spaces between the teeth (see Fig. 8).

Paper roll supports 8 are mounted on upper horizontal supporting members 18 and adjustably support the ends of the paper roll shaft which in turn supports the roll of paper 132 (see Fig. 1).

Paper roll 132 is adapted to unwind slowly in response to a pull on the unwound paper 134. Paper 134 passes through paper guide rollers 56 and pleating guide rollers 43 to a point near the opening formed in the support top 74 where it is contacted by and folded over a separator and ultimately moved through said opening in the form of the assembled product.

Chute 10 comprises an arcuately curved channel memher 136 having a horizontally disposed flange 138 formed on its upper end which is secured to a flange 140 which its sides.

is formed on the lower end of leg 80 of support top plate 76. Leg 82 of support top plate 78 has a vertically extending longitudinal flange 142 formed on each of Rectangular side retaining plates 144 having horizontally extending slots 146 formed therein are secured to horizontally extending strut 148. Side plates 144 are secured to flanges 142 of leg 82 by bolts 150 which pass through slots 146 and openings in flanges 142.

With this arrangement, it will be seen that the distance between legs 80 and 82 which constitutes the opening through which the assembled product passes can be varied to accommodate different widths of separators by loosening bolts 150, adjusting wing nuts .90 to provide the desired distance between legs 80 and 82, and

i then tightening up bolts 150.

Angle member 152 is secured to lower horizontal supporting members 18 and supports curved channel member 136. The lower end of chute 10 rests upon platform 154 which supports spring-pressed filter control plates 156 and the begin ning of a slightly inclined, curved chute (not shown) which leads the assembled product off to a point to be removed.

The device is operated by a compressed air system which has a cycle of operation which is automatically 5 controlled by electrically controlled air valves 71, 101

and 103 (see Figs. 2 and 7) which are actuated by the micro-switches 55, 57, 120 and 121 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5). The compressed air system comprises main air line 158 which connects to a source of compressed air at 160 and has connected therein main control valve 162, air

moisture trap 164, air regulator valve 166, air pressure gauge 168, air line oiler and which leads to threew'ay valve 172 (see Fig. l). Three-way valve 172 is controlled by valve handle 173 which is mounted on conidentical and of conventional design and each includes: a slidable valve which controls the flow of air from its.

air inlet 178 to either of two air outlets 180 or 182 (see Fig. 7). One 'air line 102 is connected to air outlet 180 of air valve 101 and the lower air inlet 98 of the cylinder 96, and a second air line 102 is connected to air outlet 180 of air valve 103 and the lower air inlet 98 of the cylinder 97. Air lines 104 are connected to air outlets 182 of air valves 101 and 103 and the upper air inlets 100 of the cylinders 96 and 97. The slidable valve in the air valves 101 and 103 is normally pressed to a position wherein air inlets 178 are in communication with air outlets 180 and air outlets 182 are vented to the atmosphere through exhausts 181. In this position air flows through the air outlets 180 of air valves 101 and 103, the air lines 102, the air inlets 98 of cylinders 96 and 97 and impinges upon the lower surface of pistons 105 urging them upwardly and thereby maintaining pushdown plates 110X and 110Y in an upper, retracted position. The air on the upper side of pistons 105 is expelled to the atmosphere through air inlets 100, air lines 104, air outlets 182 and exhausts 181 of the air valves 101 and 103 which are vented to the atmosphere. Each of the sliding valves in air valves 101 and 103 is adapted to be independently moved by energizing a solenoid in the air valve which causes the sliding valve to be moved to a position wherein the air outlet 182 is in communication with the air inlet 178 and the air outlet 180 is in communication with exhaust 181 and thereby vented to the atmosphere. In this position, air flows through air inlet 178, air outlet 182, air line 104, air inlet 100, and impinges upon the upper side of piston 105 urging it downwardly and moving its associated push-down plate down. When this occurs, the air on the lower side of piston 105 is expelled to the atmosphere through air inlet 98, air line 102, air outlet 180, and exhaust 181, which is vented to the atmosphere. When the solenoids in the air valves 101 and 103 are de-energized, the sliding valve is. returned to its normal position, the flow of air is reversed and the push-down plate is moved to its upper retracted position.

Electrically controlled air valve 71 is of the conventional solenoid operated and solenoid return type, and includes a solenoid actuated sliding valve which is adapted to assume one of two positions depending upon which solenoid is energized. In one position, the sliding valve places air inlet 184 into communication with air outlet 186 and air outlet 188 is vented to the atmosphere through exhaust 189. In its other position, the sliding valve places air inlet 184 into communication with air outlet 188 and air outlet 186 is vented to the atmosphere through exhaust 189. Air line 69 is connected to an outlet 186 and air line 70 is connected to air outlet 188. With this arrangement, air from air line 176 passes through air inlet 18 4 of air valve 71 where it may be directed to either air outlet 186 (and then through air line 69 into the main air cylinder 68 at one side of piston '67) or to air outlet 188 (and then through air line 70 into the main air cylinder 68 at the other side of piston 67). It is therefore apparent that piston 67 will move piston rod 64, U-shaped push member 62, and the carriage 4 either to the right or left depending upon which air outlet 186 or 188 is placed in communication with the air line 176 by the sliding valve in 'air valve '71 (see Fig. lO-A). It is to be noted that when one of the air outlets 186 or 188 is placed into communication with air line 176 and air flows through either air line 69 or 70 into the main cylinder 68 on one side of piston 67, that the air on the other side of the piston is vented to the atmosphere throughthe air line and air outlet which are not in communication with air line 176. Air control valves 190 and 192 are positioned in air lines 104 and air control valves 194 and 196 are positioned in air lines 69 and 70 respectively. The internal structure and operation of electrically controlled air' valves 71, 101 and 103 are well known and therefore has not been described in detail.

The compressed air system described in detail above (and illustrated schematically in Fig. 12) supplies the power to move the carriage 4 and the push-down plates 110K and 110Y. The electrical circuit shown in Fig. 11 controls the electrically controlled air valves 71, 101 and 103 which in turn control the flow of air to main air cylinder i168 and cylinders 96 and 97. In order to operate automatically, the device must follow a prescribed sequence of steps which constitute a complete cycle of operation. It is the purpose of the electrical circuit to control the air valves 71, 101 and 103 in such a manner that air is admitted into either of the cylinders 68, 96 or 97 on the proper side of their respective pistons at the proper time.

In order that the purpose of the electrical circuit may be better understood and to illustrate the mechanical operation of the device, a functional mode of operation is here included. Referring to Fig. 10, diagrams A, B, C, and D schematically show carriage 4 and support 2 in four different relative positions and are included solely for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the mode of operation.

Diagram A shows carriage 4 moving in the direction of the arrow a moment before tripper rod 51X contacts micro-switch 55. The various parts are in the following position: piston 67 in main cylinder 68 is moving in the direction of the arrow because compressed air is flowing through air line 70 into cylinder 68; paper 134 which passes between guide rollers 56 and pleating rollers 43 has been folded over separator 131A and separator 131B has been positioned on top of. the folded paper by the row of separators 131Y which were urged to the left by cross .plate 94Y when the carriage 4 moved from the'extreme right on the previous step to the position shown in diagram A; push-down plate 110Y is positioned directly over the opening formed in the support top; and the sliding valves in air valves 101 and 103 are in their normal position and air flows through air outlets 180, air lines 102, and into air inlets 98 urging the pistons 105 in both air'valves 96 and 97 upwardly to a retracted position.

At the moment tripper rod 51X strikes mice-switch 55, the following occurs (see diagram B): micro-switch 55 actnates the solenoid in air valve 101 and the sliding valve therein is moved to a position wherein it directs the flow of air through the air line 104 which leads to air inlet of cylinder 96 and the piston 105 therein and its associated push-down plate Y are moved downwardly; the push-down plate pushes separator 1313 down through the opening and when it reaches its lowermost point tripper block 118Y contacts micro-switch 120 causing: (l) the solenoid in air valve 101 to be de-energized with the resulting movement of its sliding valve to its normal position wherein air flows through air line 102 into air inlet 98 of cylinder 96 urging the piston 105 and its associated push-down plate 110Y upwardly and (2) the position of the sliding valve in air valve 71 is reversed and air flows through air outlet 186, air line 69 and into main cylinder '68 on the left hand side of piston 67 urging the carriage 4 to the right.

Diagram C shows the device as it moves in the direc tion of the arrow: pleating rollers 43 are folding paper 134 over separator 1313 and separator 131C is simultaneously being moved to a position on the paper over the opening in the suport top by separators 131X which are being urged. to the right by cross plate 94X; when the carriage 4 is moved fully to the right (see diagram D) push-down plate 110X is directly over separator 131C which is directly over the opening in the support top, and tripper rod 51Y contacts micro-switch 57 which energizes the solenoid in air valve 103 causing the sliding valve therein to move to a position wherein air is directed through air outlet 182, air line 104 and the air inlet 100 of cylinder 97 causing the push-down plate 110X tobe moved downwardly pushing separator 131C and, thepaper which was folded over separator 131B down through the opening. When the push-down plate 110X reaches its lowermost position, tripper block 118X contacts microswitch 121 causing: (1) de-energizing of the solenoid in air valve 103 with the resultant movement of its sliding valve to its normal position and the diverting of the air flow to air line 102 into air inlet 98 of cylinder 97 and the moving of push-down plate 110X upwardly, and (2) reversal of the position of the sliding valve in air valve 71 with the resultant change of air flow to air line 70, moving the piston 67 and the carriage 4 to the left. As the carriage 4 moves to the left, pleating rollers 43 fold the paper over separator 131C and another separator 131D is urged to the left on the top of the paper to a position over the opening (when the carriage is to extreme left as shown in diagram A) by separators 131Y which are pushed by cross plate 94Y.

By reference to Fig. 5, it will be seen that when the carriage 4 is to the extreme left, cross plate 94X is in position to move the lowermost separator 131X to the right toward the opening (upon movement of the carriage to the right), and cross plate 94Y is in position to be moved out from under the separators 131Y to the right so that the lowermost separator 131Y may be forced by gravity to the level of the support top when cross plate 94Y is moved to the extreme right and fully out from under the separators 131Y. When this has occurred cross plate 94X will have urged separators 131X toward the opening in the support top and will be fully under the stack of separators 131X. Upon movement of the carriage 4 to the left, cross plate 94X will be moved out from under the separators 131X and cross plate 94Y will urge separators 131Y toward the opening in the suport top. This arrangement provides an automatic feeding means for the separators wherein the separators are fed from alternate sides of the carriage toward the opening in the support top at the proper time.

In Figs. 11 and 12 the inter-relation of the electrical circuit and flow of air is shown schematically. Fig. 11 illustrates by way of example one wiring arrangement which is operative. Electrical current is supplied through line 200 which includes toggle switch 202 therein to control the flow of current. Electrical line 200 is connected to a conventional magnetic switch 204 of the double pole, double throw type. Electric wires connect the magnetic switch 204 with the electrically controlled air valves 103, 71 and 101 and the micro-switches 55, 57, 120, and 121 as is illustrated schematically in Fig. 11. Microswitches 55, 57, and 120 are normally open and microswitch 121 is normally closed. With this wiring arrangement, the solenoids in electrically controlled air valves 101, 71, and 103are energized at the proper time by contacting or relasing the micro-switches resulting in movement of the respective sliding valves therein and the directing of the air in said valve to the appropriate air outlet and then to the appropriate air cylinder. Referring to Fig. 11 and to the diagrams of Fig. 10, the following is a brief explanation of a cycle of operation: starting with carriage 4 moving to the left as is illustrated in Fig. 10, diagram A, the following situation obtains: a first solenoid in air valve 71 is energized causing the sliding valve therein to be urged to a position wherein air flows through air line 70 into cylinder 68 causing the carriage 4 to move to the left. When the carriage reaches the extreme left, tripper 51X contacts the normally open micro-switch 55 closing a circuit which energizes the solenoid in air valve 101 which in turn causes the sliding valve in air valve 101 to be moved to a position wherein air is directed through air line 104 and into inlet 100 of cylinder 96 causing the piston therein to move push-down plate 110Y downwardly as is shown itrEig. l0, diagram B. When the push-down plate 110Y reaches its lowermost point, tripper block 118Y contacts normally open micro-switch 120 closing a circuit which energizes the coil in magnetic switch 204 which in turn moves the cross bars therein upwardly causing the' lower cross bar to connect the lower poles. This causes the following: (1) ale-energizing of the coil in air valve 101 which allows the sliding valve therein to be moved to its normal position wherein air flows through air line 102 into air inlet 98 of cylinder 96 thereby moving the push down plate 110Y upwardly, and (2) energizing of the other solenoid in air valve 71 which causes the sliding valve therein to move to its other position wherein air flows through air line 69 and into cylinder 68 moving the carriage 4 to the right as is shown in Fig. 10, diagram C. When the carriage 4 reaches the extreme right, trippcr 51Y contacts normally open micro-switch 57 closing a circuit which energizes the solenoid in air valve 103 which in turn moves the sliding valve therein to a position wherein air flows through air line 104 into air inlet of air valve 97 and urges push-down plate X downwardly (see Fig. 10, diagram D). When the push-down plate 110X reaches its lowermost point, tripper block 118X contacts normally closed micro-switch 121 opening a circuit which causes the coil in magnetic switch 204 to be de-energized and the cross bars are urged to their lowermost position (shown in Fig. 11). This causes the following: (1) the solenoid in air valve 103 is deenergized allowing the sliding valve therein toreturn to its normal position wherein air flows through air line 102 into air inlet 98 of cylinder 97 moving the pushdown plate 110K upwardly and (2) the first solenoid in air valve 71 is energized causing sliding valve to move to a position wherein air fiows through air line 70 into cylinder 68 moving the carriage 4 to the left. i

In the foregoing description I have described a specific embodiment of my invention. I do not intend thereby to limit myself to the specific construction set forth, for numerous changes could be made in the specific embodiment described without departing from the spirit of the invention. This applies particularly to the electrical wiring arrangement, for there undoubtedly are other wiring arrangements that one skilled in the art'might devise which would satisfy the requirements of my machine.

I claim: 1

l. A device for pleating a web and inserting substantially planar spacers between the pleats comprising a support having a substantially planar upper surface andhaving an opening in the central portion of said surface sufficiently large to pass one of said separators, a sepa-v rator holder positioned above said planar upper surface on each side of said opening, each said holder being adapted to support a stack of separators with the lowermost separator of each stack resting on said surface, acarriage mounted on said support above said opening; means for reciprocating said carriage across said opening, means on said carriage receiving said web and direct-'. ing it through said opening, feeders on each side of said opening moving with said carriage and engageable with' the said lowermost separator of each stack in such'a' manner as to push it along said surface toward said" opening; said carriage, feeders, and holders being so correlated that when said carriage is moved in one direction a separator from one of said stacks is pushed by a feeder' along said surface into engagement with a first surface of said web while said web is moved across said opening. in said direction, and when said carriage is moved in the other direction a separator from the other stack is pushed along said surface into engagement with the second surface of said web while said web is moved across said opening in said other direction, whereby said web is folded into pleats about said separators within said open.

ing; pusher means mounted on said carriage for pushing said pleats through said opening, means for reciprocating either direction said pusher means operates to push a pleat through said opening before said carriage begins its movement in the reverse direction.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said reciprocating means for said carriage and said pusher means comprises at least one cylinder, 2. piston in each cylinder, means for supplying an elastic fluid to said cylinder, valve means for admitting fluid to said cylinder and control means for said valves constructed and arranged to correlate the movements of said carriage and said pusher means.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said control means comprises electric switches controlling the respective valves and actuating means connected to said carriage and said pusher means constructed and arranged to actuate respective switches at predetermined points in the travel of said carriage and said pusher means.

4. A device for pleating a web and inserting substantially planar spacers between the pleats comprising a support having a substantially planar upper surface and having an opening in the central portion of said surface sufiiciently large to pass one of said separators, a separator holder positioned above said planar upper surface on each side of said opening, each said holder being adapte to support a stack of separators with the lowermost separator of each stack resting on said surface, a stop mounted on said support on each side of said opening, a carriage mounted on said support above said opening and movable along said support between said stops, two pairs of rollers mounted on said carriage with their axes parallel to each other, parallel to said surface and at right angles to the direction of movement of said carriage, a first pair being positioned slightly above said upper surface and the other pair being positioned substantially above said first pair, means for reciprocating said carriage between said stops, said stops being so positioned that said first pair of rollers travels back and forth across said opening; a separator feeder mounted on each end of said carriage and so positioned as to move along said surface as said carriage reciprocates, each said feeder comprising a member extending transversely to the direction of movement of said carriage and so positioned as to engage the lowermost separator of a stack and push it along said surface toward said opening; said carriage feeders, and holders being so correlated that when said carriage is moved in one direction a separator from one of said stacks is pushed along said surface into engagement with a first face of said web while said web is carried by said rollers across said opening in said one direction, and when said carriage is moved in the other direction a separator from the other stack is pushed along said surface into engagement with the second face of said web while said web is moved across said opening in the other direction, whereby said web is folded into pleats about said separators; a pair of flat plates mounted on said carriage for vertical movement and normally positioned above and parallel to said surface, said plates being so positioned that when said carriage is in engagement with one of said stops, one of said plates is aligned with said opening, while when the carriage is in engagement with the other of said stops the other plate is aligned with said opening, a vertically positioned cylinder mounted on said carriage adjacent each plate, a piston in each said cylinder connected to the respective plate, means for supplying elastic fluid to each cylinder, valves for controlling the admission of fluid to said cylinders, and means controlled by the movement of said carriage for controlling the admission of said fluid to said cylinders, said means being so constructed and arranged that each time said carriage reaches the end of its travel in either direction, the plate in alignment with said opening descends and pushes a pleat through said opening before said carriage begins its movement in the reverse direction.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for reciprocating said carriage comprises a cylinder and piston, means for supplying an elastic fluid to said cylinder, valves for controlling the admission of fluid to said cylinder and means actuated by movement of said plates for controlling said valves.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for controlling the admission of fluid to the cylinders comprises electrical switches controlling the respective valves, actuating means on the carriage for actuating the switches controlling admission to the cylinders which operate said plates and means connected to said plates for actuating the switches which control admission of fiuid to the cylinders which reciprocate the carriage.

7. A device as defined in claim 4 and further comprising an elongated chute extending downwardly from and in registry with said opening, said chute comprising walls closely embracing said pleats, and means for adjusting the positions of said walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 296,067 Romer et al. Apr. 1, 1884 554,020 Dchaitre Feb. 4, 1896 2,403,971 Fried July 16, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 71,736 Germany Dec. 21, 1892 

